Demco Commander II

[sedcom]

Looking for what others have done ...

Just installed the tow base plate on my Jeep Wrangler. There were some security cables with the Demco Commander II tow bar. They are installed by double wrapping them around the jeep frame and the base plate. Seems to me it is in case the base plate bolts some how come unthreaded, therefore preventing the base plate coming away from the jeep frame. Hard to believe this would happen given the bolts used for the installation. Anyway ...

Does everyone install these cables? Seems to be more of a liability recommendation from Demco. Anyway, thanks for hearing back on what any of you guys have done.

Cheers

[Bnbl]

Install the Cables!

I have a 98 Jeep Wrangler with Demco products.

This is the previous design base plate in the picture before the baseplate I now have with the safety cables. For all practical purposes the only thing attaching the baseplates are two grade 5 or grade 8 bolts. (Old base plate was provide with G5, new base plate with G8) Odds of a properly torqued bolt coming loose is pretty low. The problem comes from hardened bolts which are very brittle and are prone to break when flexed.

This happened when arriving at a campground and not on the road where more failure may have resulted in the loss of the tow vehicle.

Fortunately, I was able to easy-out the bolt from the jeep. Was leaving Alaska at the time and was only 40 miles from Anchorage. At the time (2018) the baseplate was over $400 and overnight air was about the same. Costs in the $900 dollar range to get on the road. Lucky it didn't happen a few days later in the Yukon or upper B.C.

Have also since this happened installed a break-away device which is required in most States and Providences.

[lwmcguir]

I have a Demco on the F150 and my cables simply hook in the mounting bracket that also accepts the swivel

You definitely want a backup as failures do happen. We were passed by a fellow towing an F150 with a Nighthawk and one side broke. It was interesting and scary watching him get stopped and luckily only scratches but his cable on the broken side held.

[sedcom]

Those stories are enough for me to leave it attached; appreciate it.
Cannot imagine the experience if it comes off.
Cheers and thanks again.

[Bnbl]

I believe the poster was referring to security cables that secure the baseplate to the frame of the vehicle. Not the Safety Cables between the toad and tow vehicle. The illustration is from the installation manual.

[sedcom]

Thanks for clarifying. You are correct.

[lwmcguir]

Originally Posted by Bnbl

I believe the poster was referring to security cables that secure the baseplate to the frame of the vehicle. Not the Safety Cables between the toad and tow vehicle. The illustration is from the installation manual.

Attachment 36489

Thanks for sharing, never seen that before so there is always something to learn

I would not buy one with cables either if there were other options

If the manufacturer felt they were needed and supplied them, I would certainly use them

[Pete'sMH]

I certainly used mine! Why wouldn’t you? Although failure of the primary parts is unlikely there isn’t ANY downside to having an extra margin of safety.